Chapter 20

Ssha- The sound of the opening of the envelope was made.

Rayto for now had decided to ignore the system. But that came with a bad premotion.

If the system had giving him a quest before this... then, it might actually be related.

Rayto's thought process were along those lines.

Thinking back to the details of the main quest. This could mean one of many things.

This is of which at every major juncture of this new life of his, a side quest seemed to appear when something significant was nearby.

While these side quests could be ignored, these side quests in question usually or unusually leads to significant events that increases the progress bar of his main quest.

Was he thinking too much into it?

Probably not.

Opening the envelope, he took out the folded paper inside, but before reading it, he glanced at Lux, who was intently staring at the folded paper in his hands.

"...."

*Ahem* Coughing lightly, Rayto unfolded the papers and began to read. "Dear Rayto…"

Heck, he didn't even bother reading the content aloud after scanning the entire letter in one glance.

After finishing, he rested his left hand on the table, then propped his chin on it.

Rayto then gazed out of the window while tapping on the table rhythmically with his right hand.

Tap, tap, tap!

Lux blinked, raising an eyebrow at Rayto's behavior.

But as if noticing the look on Lux's face—even though Rayto was looking outside the window—Rayto slid the paper towards Lux.

Lux gulped down for a moment.

He then took the paper, he too, also reading the content.

"A-ah... this..." Lux trailed off, leaning back in his chair with a wry smile spreading across his face.

He leaned back against his chair to think about it.

After contemplating for a moment, he then looked at Rayto. "Would you accept?"

Rayto paused, deep in thought. 'The system's side quest is also there too...' He then let out a heavy sigh after mulling it over.

"I guess I have no choice, or rather, this might be the perfect opportunity."

Hearing this... Lux smiled, understanding Rayto's perspective. Just then, Rayto dropped his hands and looked directly at Lux.

"What about you?"

Lux who was caught off guard by Rayto's question, drifted his gaze downward as he considered it.

Reile Aingram.

After the events of yesterday made an official request to the Queen and the Minsters.

The request was stated that Rayto should officially attend the Royal Knights Academy. —That such, would be beneficial for him, given his talents.

And such a privilege had rarely, or never been granted before.

Lux was undoubtedly also qualified, but given his circumstances, especially with the stubborn so called five great nobles, made it far from straightforward.

Rayto's appearance was unexpected, but also a good timing.

The queen of course, had accepted said request. No, at that point, it was a direct order from the queen herself for Rayto to join the Royal Knights Academy.

In such, even if he wanted to refuse, Rayto didn't have any choice.

The only way he would have to avoid this situation would to use the Queen's Favour.

Tsk! How cunning!

Those were his lines of thought.

But considering the system was also issuing a quest concerning that. And... the [Fools Mask] ...

Just from the name of the item, it did seem like something he might need. Especially if he would be risking coming in contact with the Black Marketer.

Why do I feel like everything that has been happening has been pointing me towards one direction.

Or was he thinking too much into it?

Maybe yes or maybe not.

But that wasn't the case now...

....

Next morning came.

Rayto and Lux rendezvous at the front of his cafe before they both set off to the Academy.

Now that I think about it.

Rayto blinked as he looked at the massive structure that was positioned around the other edge—at the back of the first district of Crossfort.

"Lux, that building over there," he pointed toward the imposing structure in question. "That's where we're headed, right?"

The only time he had glimpsed it was when he had snuck out of Crossfort using Wyvern.

Back then, he had only caught a fleeting glance of the place.

However, he never imagined it would be an academy.

"Yeah, that's the Royal Knight Academy," Lux confirmed with a nod of his head.

"But.... Since I've never been part of any political stuff, I'm just like you."

"There's a but?"

"Haha..." Lux nervously laughed before continuing "I've also never been here."

Remembering who the sender of the letter is, he felt a nervous sweat.

Honestly, it's been years since Lux last saw her. The last time he did was days after his mother's burial.

Back then, it was thanks to Reile's sister, he was able to get over his hatred towards everybody back then.

And even after then... there was the promise he made to her... Yet, to this day, Lux hadn't fulfilled the promise he made to her.

Then after that... their family, moved away from the capital due to work obligations.

At the same time, it could be said it was because of said promise that he worked that hard for the duels.

Then thanks to that... Lux also, for the first time, had met someone for the first time who could be considered his equal or even superior.

"We're almost there."

Rayto's voice snapped Lux out of his thoughts as they reached the top of the hill where the Royal Academy was situated.

The academy was, built on a hill for strategic reasons, like being able to supervise the entire Crossfort from above, which is also while it was located at the farthest end, which is the first district.

They approached the massive gate in front of them, reminiscent of a kingdom gate or one of those large iron-clad gates.

As they walked closer, a female uniformed figure approached them.

"Are you Mr. N-Nyou... Nyonteh?" she stammered, looking at Rayto and muttering under her breath, "What a strange name..."

"That's me, alright." Rayto replied, with a little frown crossing his features, perhaps a little offended?

With another nod, she acknowledges before then turning to Lux, "And you must be..."

She didn't bother calling out Lux's name, just gave a short nod.

"Ahem, the headmaster has informed me of your arrival. Please follow me," she said, motioning for both of them to follow her.

However, as Rayto followed behind, he furrowed his brows and narrowed his eyes at the woman walking ahead.

How rude...

Rayto turned to look at Lux walking alongside him, but Lux didn't seem bothered.

No—Rayto could understand a little.

Technically speaking, since Lux was the prince of the old empire, some people still harbored massive grudges against the old empire.

But to Rayto, this was something he simply couldn't relate to. Lux was a chilled person to hang out with.

And as someone alone in this world, it wouldn't hurt to have one ally or two, right?

"Haah."

"Eh? Rayto-san?"

"Nothing... nothing."

"Then why the sigh?"

"Like I said, don't bother."

They continued their banter, while the woman in uniform couldn't understand why Rayto was getting along with Lux but kept her thoughts to herself.

In the first place, she couldn't understand the principal's thoughts regarding the two male students.

Afterall, ....

This academy was primarily for noble girls, training female Drag-Knights who had been overlooked due to the androcracy of the Old Empire.

But regardless, she was simply following her orders: to lead them to the principal's office.

—The Royal Knights Academy.

The Royal Knights Academy itself is a massive structure.

From the gate to the left lies a large colosseum, while to the right are the dorms designated for females.

In the middle stands a tower-like structure resembling a lighthouse.

Straight ahead is the main building where classes are held, and beside the colosseum lies the hangar for the drag-machines.

Not only that.

Even the road to the academy... They were surprisingly well-maintained and paved, constantly being watched under female officers.

Which was only expected of a school many young noble women attend.

Such a troublesome academy is such both honoured males would be attending.

Thanks to the new duo. Both males would draw more attention than both would mentally be prepared for.

Such as....

....

"Hey, pervert. Do you have anything left to say before dying?"

In a hot, steamy room—was "steamy" the right word? Well, it doesn't matter anyway.

Inside the room were several figures. From their outlines, Lux could somewhat discern they were undoubtedly female.

'No, no, how did I get into this in the first place? Rayto-san!!!!!'

Lux exclaimed in his head, as he mentally cursed his friend. (Rayto led him to it).

 Meanwhile: Rayto chilling in his dorm as he revels in the chaos that would be caused by the females tomorrow.